Only now, things have turned. Now the offense seldom sputters, seldom fails to get going.

The Dodgers who have rolled to the major league’s best record since Aug. 29, have found their offensive stride at exactly the right time.

Pitchers can relax, can now feel they haven’t let a game slip away with an early mistake.

“I think maybe in certain situations you felt like you almost had to keep it at one or two runs,” said right-hander Derek Lowe. “That sense isn’t there now, and it makes everyone’s job easier.

“You don’t have the fear that maybe this pitch is going to change a game. Those times are way in the past. This is a totally different team and most people are starting to recognize that.”

From May through August, the Dodgers averaged 3.9 runs per game.

In September, they averaged 5.4 runs. Then scored 20 runs in their three-game division-series sweep of the Cubs.

Lowe in particular, threw some terrific games during the summer but came away with nothing to show for it.

He has won seven of his last eight decisions, but two of his last three losses were by 2-1 scores. In between was a no-decision where he allowed one run in eight innings.

The biggest change is the arrival of Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake, though both were also here in August when the team still struggled to score.

But now things are clicking, now runs seem to come naturally, are almost expected.

Now if the Dodgers fall behind early, it’s not seen as the end. Now pitchers expect the offense to battle back.

“It helps everybody because you know they’re going to score,” Lowe said. “I think the perfect example of that was my first game (against the Cubs) when we were down 2-nothing. I never ever sensed that we weren’t going to score.”

The Dodgers rallied for a 7-2 victory in the opener, setting a tone that would remain through the brief series.

Meanwhile, the starters continued to shine. Even if it is without a dominating ace.

“I believe there are only three to five, what I would call true aces,” Lowe said. “We’re more of a balanced staff, which is important this time of year.

“You don’t want drop-offs from guy to guy. You kind of want everybody at the same level, and we have that and kind of showed that the last series what each of the pitchers can do. You just want to do your part.”

And get some offensive support in the process.

Torre would not announce his rotation Monday for the National League Championship Series against the Phillies starting Thursday in Philadelphia, though he is expected to stay with the same three-man rotation of Lowe, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda.

Torre said, however, he is considering adding rookie left-hander Clayton Kershaw to the rotation.

“He’s certainly something you have to consider because of their left-handers,” Torre said.

“We need at least two left-handers in the bullpen against this ballclub, and possibility a left-handed starter.”

The only possible change to the postseason roster would be the addition of left-handed reliever Hong-Chih Kuo, who has been out with a sore arm.

Torre said Kuo pitched Monday at Dodger Stadium and would not rule out adding him to the playoff roster.

“I was out here, and he looked good,” Torre said. “We’ll check to see how he feels today and get him to toss early tomorrow, then we’ll see.”

Joe Beimel is the only other left-hander in the bullpen.

Although Torre said Takashi Saito would return as his closer in the postseason, it was Jonathan Broxton who ended the eighth and then pitched the ninth to earn the save in Saturday’s division-clinching 3-1 victory over the Cubs.

Now Torre is uncertain who his closer is.

Saito, who missed 53 games with a sprained right elbow and did not return until Sept. 15, looked shaky in his only game against the Cubs. He did not retire a batter and was charged with two runs in the 10-3 Game 2 victory.

“We did tell Saito this last series that he was going to pitch in the ninth inning, and I lied to him because we brought Broxton back in the ninth.”

Torre said the closer position would be situational against Philadelphia, depending on who is looking strong and who the hitter is. Torre said he expected to continue with his same postseason lineup, though he might change the batting order.

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